January 24, 2018

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I come with joy to meet my Lord, forgiven, loved, and free, in awe and wonder to recall his life laid down for me.

I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed, the new community of love in Christ’s communion bread.

Together met, together bound, we’ll go our different ways, and as his people in the world we’ll live and speak his praise.

OPENING ACCLAMATION

Celebrant Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.

People Glory to God for ever and ever.

Beloved God, as we approach your Presence, guide and stir us with your Holy Spirit, that we may become one body, one spirit in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE #93 BLUE Angels from the Realms of Glory

Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; ye, who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Jonah 3:1-10

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.” When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Reader The Word of the Lord.

PeopleThanks be to God.

Let us say together Psalm 62 v. 5-12

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,

and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

HYMN #493 BLUE O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, v. 1-4

O for a thousand tongues to sing my dear Redeemer’s praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim and spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease; tis music in the sinner’s ears, tis life and health and peace.

He speaks; and, listening to his voice, new life the dead receive, the mournful broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.

THE GOSPEL Mark 1:14-20

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.

PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ.

SERMON Pastor Neil

THE NICENE CREED (please stand)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Celebrant

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”

Leader

For the peace from above, for the loving kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the unity of all peoples, and for all the leaders of the nations and all those in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Eugene and Chilton, our bishops, Neil our priest, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the community of Springwell, the city of Baltimore, those who live here, and their families, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For all who endure illness, oppression, poverty, or any other suffering; for St. John’s pastoral and healthcare ministry, and for other caregivers, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For all refugees, that God might bring them to a place of peace and safety, we pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

We especially pray for those suffering from human rights abuses; because of winter weather, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, mudslides, and other disasters, and for those we name now… (please add your petitions). Let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

Celebrant

Lord Jesus, Light of the World, hear our prayers, and make us reflections of your Light, that the places of darkness in our world would be pierced by your Light, and that all nations would be drawn to you and be overwhelmed with joy. Amen.

Let us confess our sins to God (Silence may be kept).

Celebrant and People

God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

Celebrant

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ. Strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

THE PEACE

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

(Please greet one another in the name of the Lord.)

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

Celebrant

Let us with gladness present the offerings and gifts of our life and labor to the Lord. (Please be seated)

HYMN #438 RED Forth in Thy Name, O Lord

Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go, my daily labor to pursue; thee, only thee, resolved to know in all I think or speak or do.

Thee may I set at my right hand, whose eyes mine inmost substance see, and labor on at thy command, and offer all my works to thee.

For thee delightfully employ whate’er thy bounteous grace hath given; and run my course with even joy, and closely walk with thee to heaven.

PRESENTATION HYMN #135 BLUE Songs of Thankfulness…

Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise, manifested by the star to the sages from afar; branch of royal David’s stem in thy birth at Bethlehem; anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

Celebrant Lift up your hearts.

PeopleWe lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

PeopleIt is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant will chant:

It is indeed right and salutary … (preface continues)

…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS S-125 BLUE

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.

In these latter days, God leaned toward the earth and spoke to us by a Son, Jesus the Beloved. Born of our sister Mary and the Holy Spirit, guarded by our brother Joseph with fatherly care, Jesus came among us as a helpless babe, cradled beside the beasts and warmed by their breath – human, as we are, in need of human love.

Kings bowed down before him, bringing gifts; emperors were troubled by his reign – this Child in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. This Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us, his flesh and blood were given to us, in his final gift of grace. As a servant, Jesus emptied himself of might upon the cross, and as the risen Anointed One is enthroned at God’s right hand to bring mercy and justice to all the earth at the end of days.

At supper with his disciples he took bread and offered you thanks. He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat. This is my Body: it is broken for you.”

After supper, he took the cup, he offered you thanks, and gave it to them saying: “Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant; it is poured out for you, and for all, that sins may be forgiven. Do this in remembrance of me.”

ACCLAMATION OF FAITH (said together)

We now obey your Son’s command. We recall his blessed passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension; and we look for the coming of his Kingdom.

Made one with him, we offer you these gifts and with them ourselves a single, holy, living sacrifice. Hear us, most merciful Father, and send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and this wine, that, overshadowed by his life-giving power, they may be the Body and Blood of your Son, and we may be kindled with the fire of your love and renewed for the service of your Kingdom.

Help us, who are baptized into the fellowship of Christ’s Body to live and work to your praise and glory; may we grow together in unity and love until at last, in your new creation, we enter into our heritage in the company of the Virgin Mary, the apostles, and prophets, and of all our brothers and sisters living and departed.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever.Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:

THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

WELCOME TO THE TABLE

All are welcome to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, without exception. The usher will direct you when to come forward (those in the back of the room come first). Cup your hands together to receive the bread and when the wine is offered, either dip your wafer in the wine or assist the chalice bearer to guide the cup to your lips. Alternately, you may cross your hands over your chest to indicate you wish a blessing from the priest. The elements will be brought to those who are unable to come forward.

COMMUNION MUSIC

THE THANKSGIVING

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

THE BLESSING

Sisters and brothers, we go out into the world in peace, as part of God’s beloved community. May God help us all to be of good courage, hold on to what is good, return to no one an evil for an evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, aid the suffering, honor all people, and let our gentleness be known by everyone. May God, who raised our Lord Jesus from death, lift us up and restore us to wholeness. And may God bless us all, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Amen.

HYMN #365 BLUE Come thou Almighty King, v. 1-3

Come, thou almighty King, help us thy Name to sing, help us to praise, Father whose love unknown all things created own, build in our hearts thy throne, Ancient of Days.